Apparatus and Methods for Removing Insects From Swimming Pools and the Like

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for removing insects from swimming pools and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/596,825, filed Oct. 24, 2005, which is entitled “Suction Device for the Removal of Swimming Pool Insects” and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. Field of Inventions

The present inventions relate generally to apparatus and methods for removing insects from swimming pools and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

Swimming pool systems typically include the pool itself, one or more lights for swimming after dark, and a water filtration system that consists of a drain at the bottom of the pool, a pump, a filter, and one or more water outlets along the pool wall. In addition, a wide variety of swimming pool cleaning devices are available for the purpose of removing leaves, insects and other debris from the water within swimming pools. Skimmers and pool sweeps are examples of such devices. Skimmers typically operate at or near the water surface, while pool sweeps operate at the bottom of the swimming pool. Skimmers and pool sweeps are connected by a vacuum hose to a suction outlet in the pool wall or below the pool deck, which in turn may be connected to the pump and filter in the water filtration system. Swimming pools may, alternatively, have a separate pump and filter for use with skimmers and pool sweeps. In either case, the pump draws water and debris through the skimmer or pool sweep, forces the water through the filter, and returns the water to the swimming pool by way of the water outlet(s).

The present inventor has determined that the conventional swimming pool cleaning devices are susceptible to improvement. In particular, the present inventor has determined that conventional swimming pool cleaning devices are susceptible to improvement in the area of insect removal because living insects are able to avoid them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the inventions will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a conventional swimming pool system.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the swimming pool illustrated in FIG. 1 and an insect removal device in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the insect removal device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insect removal device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the insect removal device illustrated in FIG. 2 in operation.

FIG. 5A is a side view of an insect removal device in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an insect removal device in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the insect removal device illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is another side view of the insect removal device illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an insect removal device in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an insect removal system in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an insect removal device in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side, partial section view of a swimming pool wall and the insect removal device illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an insect removal device in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 14 is a side, partial section view taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the inventions. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the inventions. Additionally, although various embodiments of the inventions are described below with reference to swimming pools because the present inventions are especially well-suited to swimming pools, the present inventions are also applicable to tanks, reservoirs and other liquid vessels.

An insect removal device in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention is generally represented by reference numeral 100 in FIGS. 2-5 and may be used in combination with the conventional swimming pool system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The swimming pool system 10 includes a pool 12, which has a side wall 14 and bottom 16, a pump 18, and a filter 20. The pump 18 draws water from the pool 12 and also drives the water through the filter 20 and back into the pool 12. A sub-surface suction hose connector 22, which is connected to the pump 18, and a sub-surface water outlet 24, which is connected to the filter 20, are associated with the side wall 14. Alternatively, or in addition, a suction hose connector may be provided below a cover (not shown) on the pool deck 25. A pool light 26 is mounted on the side wall 14 below the water surface WS. The exemplary pool light 26 consists of a housing 28, a transparent cover 30, and a light bulb or other light emitting element 32 (FIG. 5).

The exemplary insect removal device 100 takes advantage of the fact that insects are attracted to light. To that end, the insect removal device 100 is adapted to be mounted on the pool light 26 so that it may positioned at the location to which the insects are attracted when the light is turned on. The exemplary insect removal device 100 also relies on suction force to (1) secure the insect removal device to the pool light 26 and (2) to pull insects adjacent to the pool light out of the pool 12. In the exemplary implementation illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the suction force is provided by the pool system pump 18. The insect removal device 100 is connected to the pump 18 by a vacuum hose 34 with an inlet end 34 a. It should be noted here that the insect removal device 100 may, alternatively, be connected to a pump that that is not part of the associated swimming pool system or to a second pump in the swimming pool system that is primarily used with skimmers and pool sweeps.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, the exemplary insect removal device 100 includes a housing 102 with a wall 104 that defines an interior 106. A plurality of fluid/insect inlets 108 are formed in the housing wall 104. The exemplary housing 102 is frusto-conically shaped and is oriented such that the forward end 110 is larger than the reward end 112. The forward end 110 may, in some implementations, define the surface of the housing that forms a seal with the associated surface of the pool light 26 when a suction force is applied to the interior 106. In the illustrated embodiment, however, a resilient gasket 114 is carried forward end and 110 and the surface of the resilient gasket forms a seal with the associated surface of the pool light 26.

The exemplary insect removal device 100 also includes a connector tube 116 with a first cylindrical portion 118, a 90 degree bend, and a second cylindrical portion 120. The first cylindrical portion 118 of the connector tube 116 is secured to the reward end 112 of the housing 102, and the second cylindrical portion 120 defines the outlet of the exemplary insect removal device 100. The second cylindrical portion 120 is, therefore, configured such that it may be connected to a suction source. For example, in those instances where the pool pump 18 is used to supply the suction force for the insect removal device 100, the second cylindrical portion 120 may be configured to be connected to a conventional vacuum hose 34 with a convention connector 36 having a tapered end (not shown) that is typically used to connect the vacuum hose to a skimmer or a pool sweep. The second cylindrical portion 120 may include a cylindrical inner surface that is sized to form a friction fit with the tapered end of the connector 36. Alternatively, the connector 36 and second cylindrical portion 120 may be provided with lock structures that mechanically interlock the connector to the second cylindrical portion. By way of example, but not limitation, suitable lock structures may include a spring-biased ball and detent arrangement or an L-shaped groove and pin arrangement.

The 90 degree bend in the exemplary connector 116 allows the vacuum hose 34 to extend straight down from the insect removal device 100 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 so that the vacuum hose will rest on the pool bottom 16. The pool bottom 16 will support the weight of the vacuum hose 34, thereby reducing the likelihood that the weight of the vacuum hose will cause insect removal device 100 to be separated from the light 26 during use.

It should be noted, however, that in alternate embodiments the connector tube 116 may be configured such that the bend is an angle other than 90 degrees. The connector tube 116 may also be configured such that there is a single cylindrical portion (i.e. no 90 bend and no second cylindrical portion). The connector tube 116 may also be omitted. Here, the rearward end 112 of the housing 104 would be configured to be connected to a suction source.

Still another alternative is to provide a flotation device that may be secured to, and will support the weight of, the vacuum hose 34. Such a flotation device may be used in combination with the insect removal devices described above and below with reference to FIGS. 1-10.

The exemplary insect removal device 100 may be used to remove insects from a swimming pool in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. At the outset, it should be noted that it is preferable that insect removal take place when the water within the swimming pool 12 is dark (e.g. at night time or when the pool is covered). The pool light 26 to which the insect removal device 100 is secured should also be the only operating light source within the pool 12 and any light sources adjacent to the pool should also be turned off. Prior to connection to the pump 18, the vacuum hose 34 should be submerged below the water surface WS, and all of the air within the vacuum hose should be removed, in order to prevent damage to the pump. The vacuum hose 34 may then be connected to the pump connector 22 and to the insect removal device 100. The insect removal device 100 may then be placed against the transparent cover 30 on the pool light 26. The pump 18 will create suction force within housing interior 106, and this suction force will secure the insect removal device 100 to the transparent cover 30. If the pool light 26 is not already operating, it may be turned on at this time.

The light emitted by the pool light 26 will attract insects to the region adjacent to the insect removal device 100. The suction force within the housing interior 106 will draw water from the region adjacent to insect removal device 100 through the fluid/insect inlets 108. Insects that approach the pool light 26 will be sucked into the insect removal device 100 by way of the fluid/insect inlets 108 with a force that is sufficient to prevent them from swimming away. The suction force generated by the pump 18 will also force the water and insects that have been sucked into the insect removal device 100 through the filter 20, where the insects will be removed from the pool water.

With respect to dimensions, shapes and materials, the insect removal device 100 described above, and those described below, may be any suitable size and shape and may be formed from any suitable material(s). For example, in one exemplary implementation of the insect removal device 100 that is configured for use with a conventional swimming pool light, the inner diameter of the forward end 110 of the housing 102 is about 4.75 inches, the inner diameter of the rearward end 112 is about 2 inches, the distance between the forward and rearward ends is about 2.25 inches, and the inlet tube cylindrical portions 118 and 120 each have an inner diameter of about 2 inches. The size and number of the fluid/insect inlets 108 should be such their combined cross-sectional area results in a level of suction force within the housing 102 that is high enough to insure that the insect removal device 100 will be secured to the associated pool light as water flows through the fluid/insect inlets 108, but not so high that the motor driving the pump 18 will be unduly stressed. The fluid/insect inlets 108 should also be large enough to accommodate the target insect species. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four equally spaced fluid/insect inlets 108 which have a major diameter of about 1 inch and a minor diameter of about 0.5 inch. The exemplary housing 102 has a frusto-conical because such a shape is well suited for suction-based applications and swimming pool lights. Other suitable shapes include, but are not limited to, hemispheres and other partial spheres, cylinders, rectangles, discs, and truncated pyramids. The exemplary fluid/insect inlets 108 are elliptical in shape. However, any shape (e.g. circular, square, rectangular, etc.) may be employed. Turning to materials, plastics (e.g. polyvinyl chloride), fiberglass, and rubber are examples of materials that may be employed. Preferably, although not necessarily, the materials will at least be translucent and, more preferably, will be substantially transparent, in order to maximize the amount of light emitted by the swimming pool light 26 that is transmitted into the water.

Insect removal devices in accordance with some of the present inventions may be fixedly positioned on or near a pool light through the use of a mechanical fastener arrangement instead of the above-described suction force. One example of such an insect removal device is generally represented by reference numeral 100 a in FIG. 5A. Insect removal device 100 a is substantially similar to insect removal device 100 and similar elements are represented by similar reference numerals. The insect removal device 100 a does not, however, include the fluid/insect inlets 108 in the wall 104 a of housing 102 a. Nor does it include the gasket 114. Instead, the insect removal device 100 a includes a mechanical fastener that secures it to the pool side wall 14, or to the pool light 26 (not shown), in such a manner that there is a small gap G between the pool light and the forward end 110. The suction force within the housing 102 a (created by a pump connected thereto) sucks water and insects through the gap G and into the insect removal device 100 a. Although the insect removal device 100 a is not limited to any particular mechanical fastener arrangement, the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of posts 103 that are received within sockets 105 in the pool side wall 14.

Insect removal devices in accordance with some of the present inventions may also be provided with their own light source. As illustrated for example in FIGS. 6-8, an exemplary insect removal device 200 includes a housing 202 with a hollow interior defined by top, bottom and side walls 204, 206 and 208. A plurality of fluid/insect inlets 210 are formed in the side wall 208. The exemplary insect removal device 200 is also provided with an on-board light source 212, which includes a transparent cover 214 and a light bulb or other light emitting element 216. Power for the light source 216 may be supplied in a variety of ways. A battery 218 provides power for the light source 212 in the illustrated embodiment. Other alternatives include, but are not limited to, a power cord that may be connected to a low voltage power source, or an on-board hydroelectric generator, which consists of a generator and a small turbine that is turned by water flowing through the housing 202 and connected to the generator shaft. In any case, light from the on-board light 212 will pass through the housing 202, which is at least translucent and may be substantially transparent. The exemplary insect removal device 200 also includes a connector tube 220 that may be connected to the connector 36 on the aforementioned vacuum hose 34.

The buoyancy exemplary insect removal device 200 in water is such that the insect removal device will float a predetermined distance below the water surface WS, when filled with water, in order to insure that air is not sucked into the fluid/insect inlets 210. For example, in view of the fact that many insects will not travel more than 5 feet below the water surface WS, the distance may be about 3-4 feet. As a result, the insect removal device 200 will rest on the pool bottom 16 when in the shallow end of a typical swimming pool (FIG. 8).

With respect to operation, the exemplary insect removal device 200 may be placed in the water and connected to a vacuum source, such as the pump 18 (FIG. 1), by the vacuum hose 34. Operation of the pump 18 will create a suction force within the interior of the housing 202 which will draw water from the region adjacent to insect removal device 200 through the fluid/insect inlets 210. Insects that approach the light generated by the on-board light source 212 will be sucked into the insect removal device 200 by way of the fluid/insect inlets 210. The suction force generated by the pump 18 will force the water and insects that have been sucked into the insect removal device 200 through the filter 20, where the insects will be removed from the pool water.

Another exemplary insect removal device with its own light source is generally represented by reference numeral 200 a in FIG. 9. Insect removal device 200 a is substantially similar to, and operates in essentially the same manner as, insect removal device 200. Similar elements are, therefore, represented by similar reference numerals. Here, however, the insect removal device does not include an electrically powered on-board light source. Instead, the housing 202 a is formed from fluorescent material and acts as the on-board light source for the insect removal device 200 a. The insect removal device 200 a should be exposed to light prior to use (e.g. during the day) so that the housing 202 a can absorb light energy that will be emitted during use (e.g. after sundown).

Turning to FIG. 10, the exemplary insect removal system 300 illustrated therein may be used in combination with, for example, a swimming pool system that includes a swimming pool 12 a (e.g. an above ground pool), but does not include the pump, filter and light illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The insect removal system 300 includes the above described insect removal device 200 (or 200 a) and a mobile pump and filter apparatus 302 that may be positioned on the deck 13 adjacent to the pool 12 a. The mobile pump and filter apparatus 302 consists primarily of a movable housing 304, a pump 306 and a filter 308. The pump 306 may be connected to the insect removal device 200 by the vacuum hose 34. A water return hose 35 is also provided. The insect removal system 300 may be used to remove insects in the manner described with reference to FIGS. 6-8. Alternatively, in those instances where the swimming pool or other vessel includes a light source (e.g. the pool light 26), the insect removal device 100 may be employed in place of the insect removal device 200. Here, the insect removal system 300 may be used to remove insects in the manner described with reference to FIG. 5.

The exemplary insect removal devices illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 are not provided with apparatus for moving the insect removal devices around the swimming pool or other vessel. Nevertheless, in other embodiments of the inventions, apparatus for moving the insect removal devices around the swimming pool or other vessel, e.g. that found in pool sweeps, may be provided.

Other insect removal devices may be incorporated into swimming pools or the like at the time of construction. One example of such a device is the insect removal device 400 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. The exemplary insect removal device 400 includes a pool light as well as structure that may be connected to a pump for the purpose of sucking insects that are attracted to the pool light out of the water. More specifically, the insect removal device 400 includes a housing 402 that carries a pool light, such as the above-described pool light 26, in an insert area 404. The housing 402 also includes an annular fluid/insect inlet 406 that extends around the pool light 26, and is covered by a grate 408 that will allow insects to pass from the water to the fluid/insect inlet. Alternatively, a plurality of spaced fluid/insect inlets covered by individual grates may be formed in the housing 402 around the pool light insert area 404.

The exemplary insect removal device 400 may be installed in the sidewall 14 b of the pool 12 b in essentially the same manner as a conventional pool light. For example, the insect removal device 400 may be mounted in the concrete and the pool light 26 may be connected to a power cable 40 that extends through the housing 402. The exemplary insect removal device 400 must also be connected to a suction source, such as the aforementioned pump 18 and filter 20 arrangement (FIG. 1). To that end, the side wall 14 b includes a pipe 42 or other suitable conduit that is connected to the suction source and to the fluid/insect inlet 406. Water that is sucked into the insect removal device 400 may be returned to the pool 12 by way of, for example, the sub-surface water outlet 24 (FIG. 1).

The exemplary insect removal device 400 may also be configured such that the pool light is physically incorporated into the housing 402. Here, the housing 202 would be configured such that, instead of the insert area 404, there would be a region that functions as the pool light housing for the light bulb or other light emitting element, and the pool light transparent cover would be secured to housing.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the insect removal device 400 may be incorporated into a swimming pool system in such a manner that the pool light 26, the actuation of the pump 18 and, where applicable, the valved connection of the pump to the insect removal device 400 are separately controlled. The pool light 26 may be used in the same manner as any other pool light and, in those instances where insect removal is desired, suction force may be applied to the fluid/insect inlet 406 while the light is operating by actuating the pump 18. Insects that are attracted to the light will be sucked into the fluid/insect inlet 406 and removed from the pool water.

Another exemplary insect removal device that may be incorporated into swimming pools or the like at the time of construction includes one or more suction regions that are positioned in a pool wall adjacent to the pool light. One example of such an insect removal device is generally represented by reference numeral 500 in FIGS. 13 and 14 and is built into the side wall 14 c of the pool 12 c. The pool 12 c is essentially identical to the pool 12 but for insect removal device 500. The insect removal device 500 includes the aforementioned conventional pool light 26 and one or more fluid/insect inlets 502. Each fluid/insect inlet 502 is defined by a housing 504 and is covered by a grate 506 that will allow insects to pass from the water to the fluid/insect inlet. The fluid/insect inlets 502 are also connected to a suction source, such as the aforementioned pump 18 and filter 20 arrangement (FIG. 1), by a pipe arrangement 44 or other suitable conduits. Water that is drawn into the insect removal device 500 may be returned to the pool 12 c by way of, for example, the sub-surface water outlet 24 (FIG. 1).

Preferably, although not necessarily, the insect removal device 500 may be incorporated into a swimming pool system in such a manner that the pool light 26, the actuation of the pump 18 and, where applicable, the valved connection of the pump to the pipe arrangement 44 are separately controlled. The pool light 26 may be used in the same manner as any other pool light and, in those instances where insect removal is desired, suction force may be applied to the fluid/insect inlets 502 while the light is operating by actuating the pump 18. Insects that are attracted to the light will be sucked into the fluid/insect inlets 502 and removed from the pool water.

A wide variety of insect removal methods are described above and claimed below. Briefly, and as illustrated in FIG. 15, the methods each involve the steps of (1) attracting insects with a light source within a vessel filled with liquid and (2) applying a suction force to water adjacent to the light source.

Although the inventions disclosed herein have been described in terms of the preferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, the inventions include any combination of the elements from the various species and embodiments disclosed in the specification that are not already described. The inventions also include insect removal systems including the insect removal devices described above and/or claimed below. The inventions also include insect removal device embodiments that are described above and not claimed below. By way of example, the inventions include apparatus that comprise the insect removal devices described above and/or claimed below in combination with a vacuum hose. It is intended that the scope of the present inventions extend to all such modifications and/or additions and that the scope of the present inventions is limited solely by the claims set forth below. 

1. An insect removal device for use in a system including a water vessel and a light source within the water vessel, the insect removal device comprising: a housing including a wall defining an housing interior and a surface configured to adhere to the light source in response to a suction force within the housing; at least one fluid/insect inlet extending through the wall to the housing interior; and an outlet in fluid communication with the housing interior and adapted to be connected to a suction hose.
 2. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing wall defines a substantially frusto-conical shape.
 3. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid/insect inlet comprises a plurality of fluid/insect inlets.
 4. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a resilient seal surface.
 5. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is at least translucent.
 6. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an outlet tube including a first cylindrical portion connected to the housing, a mid-portion with an approximately 90 degree bend, and a second cylindrical portion that defines the outlet.
 7. A method of removing insects from water within a swimming pool, comprising the steps of: attracting insects with a light source within the swimming pool; and applying a suction force to water adjacent to the light source.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of: using the suction force to adhere a removal apparatus to the light source.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of: positioning a removal apparatus in close proximity to the light source.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of applying a suction force comprises applying a suction force generated by a pool system pump to water adjacent to the light source.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of attracting insects with a light source comprises attracting insects with a pool light that is built into a wall of the swimming pool.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of attracting insects with a light source comprises attracting insects with a light that is floating within the water.
 13. An insect removal device for use in a water vessel, the insect removal device comprising: a housing including a light source and a wall defining an housing interior; at least one fluid/insect inlet extending through the wall to the housing interior; and an outlet in fluid communication with the housing interior and adapted to be connected to a suction hose.
 14. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the insect removal device defines a buoyancy in water that will result in the insect removal device floating below the water surface when placed in water.
 15. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the light source comprises an electrically powered light located within the housing.
 16. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the housing is at least translucent.
 17. An insect removal device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the housing is formed from fluorescent material and defines the light source. 18-26. (canceled) 